The 97th Class- U.L.

Esteemed Scholars and Comrades,

It is with great sadness and heavy heart that I have been informed of the passing of Comrade Mamayea Suah KING, formerly of the Romeo A. Horton College of Business and Public Administration. Such said event occurred today, 1st December 2022, following a protracted period of illness. She was an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with assignment at the Bureau of Passport and Visas and was also a former professional colleague of the Class President. As we mourn her passing, it is our prayers that her soul will rest in peace.

Details surrounding her burial will be announced in subsequent time. Let this announcement claim the attention of the entire Membership of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia, most particularly all graduates from the Romeo A. Horton College of Business and Public Administration.

Service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
President V A Y E 🙏😢

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PYPP GRADUATES FIVE MEMBERS OF THE 97TH CLASS-UL, AS CSA INDUCTS INTO PUBLIC SERVICE

Monrovia, Liberia 12th August 2022

The President's Young Professionals Program (PYPP) of Liberia in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency (CSA) on Friday, 12th August 2022 held its graduation ceremony for 3 Cohorts (Class VII, VIII, & IX). The ceremony was held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town and well attended and graced by dignitaries including the Minister of Youth and Sports, USAID Country Director, CSA Director General, former Foreign Minister Amb. Marjon Kamara, former President of the University of Liberia Madam Ophelia Inez Weeks, former Minister of Education George Warner and a host of PYPP alumni and families who witnessed the graduation and induction of five members of The Ninety-Seventh Class of the University of Liberia (The Class of 2016) from the PYPP Two Year Fellowship Program and into the Civil Service of Liberia and the PYPP Alumni Network of Professionals.

Members of The Class of 2016 of the University of Liberia (UL) who were awarded "Certificates of Completion of Two Years of Mentorship and Training with PYPP" included: Comrade PYY-Fellow Roundelle A. Clarke Johnson, Special Assistant & Chief of Office Staff in the Office of the Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC) and Comrade PYP-Fellow Emmanuel Dwalu, Epidemiologist in the Division of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology at the National Public Health Institute all of Class VIII.

Others were Comrade PYP-Fellow Facia R. Sherman, a Child Justice Practitioner assigned in the Children Protection Division at the Ministry of Justice; Comrade-PYP Fellow James T.K. Duma Jr., Geological Engineer placed at the Liberia Geological Survey (LGS) at the Ministry of Mines and Energy; and Comrade President PYP-Fellow J. MacMillan VAYE, a development scholar and communication strategist placed in the Office of the Assistant Minister for Economic Policy, Macroeconomic and Financial Sector Policy Division as the Assistant Economist for Economic Reporting and Communication at the Department of Economic Management, Ministry of Finance of Development Planning (MFDP), all of Class IX.

"Today’s graduation of our esteemed comrades of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia (UL) from the PYPP two years of mentorship and training program and subsequent induction in the Civil Service of Liberia is a true reflection of our aspirations and beliefs that our own success can also make a difference to others - particularly the resilient and peace-loving people of Liberia, because we value and appreciate the essence of hard work and esteem the performance of public duties to be among the noblest of aims in our service to GOD, to country, to humanity. Equally important and remarkable, it is a big step forward professionally in realizing the Class' Vision: to be nationally recognized as the most outstanding class among the first hundredth classes in the history of the University of Liberia in integrity, excellence, legacy and leadership; while at the same time shining the light into the darkness “Lux in Tenebris” as LÁBOI VÀH: "The Light Has Come", says J. MacMillan Gbolahduo VAYE, Comrade-President of The 97th Class-UL & President-Fellow of PYPP-Class IX.

“We have taken some practical steps to help achieve the objectives of the PYPP within the work place. At the Civil Service Agency (CSA) with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), we have established the Civil Service Training Center with the goal of integrating the civil service program with the PYPP training program. This is one of the easiest ways we can spread this PYP thing across the public service. We are negotiating and we want to use the curriculum; we want for PYPP to be in the center of training for the program, and in the process the rest of the civil service will benefit. That explains the value we attached to this program. We are making a requirement across government that in doing replacements and employments basically, PYPs would be prioritized. PYPP is our priority because we understand the values those young people bring” says Honorable James Thompson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PYPP & Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in Liberia.

Founded in 2009 and launched by the former Liberian President Madam Ellen Johnson Sirelaf, the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) of Liberia is a prestigious and competitive independently run public service fellowship two-year program that recruits and places high-achieving young Liberian university graduates through a competitive, rigorous, and transparent selection process; provides training and mentorship; and offers ongoing support and career development. It is Liberia’s premier youth development and innovation program that provides young highly skilled Liberians a chance to play integral roles as they support government’s top priorities. It is also ranked as one of Africa’s most competitive programs for leadership in public service and now partners with the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) with the PYPP’s model being replicated currently in Kenya and Ghana and hopefully across Africa in the next few years.

Done in Monrovia on 12th August 2022 and Issued on Behalf of: THE NINETY-SEVENTH CLASS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA

Rudolph M. Kanneh
The Secretary General
The 97th Class-UL

J. MacMillan Gbolahduo V A Y E
The President
The 97th Class-UL

My Fellow 97ners,

I bring you warmest greetings and wish to commend everyone for the level of engagements and exchanges on this platform, since my New Year's Message and subsequent opened letter addressed to Mr. Alfred C. Sheah, Comptroller-General of The 97th Class of the University of Liberia.

Let me also use this platform to thank Comrade Sheah for taking up the courage to "now" speak to matters of grave concern which had been lingering within and on all official social media platforms and chatrooms of The 97th Class-UL. I believe there may or wouldn't have been any other better time, then now, having remained very silent over the years and since the establishment of these platforms in 2019/2020 while being very present and serving as one of the admins on the different platforms. As a fellow member of this class, who lacks empathy and effective communication, but had and continued to exhibit sheer arrogance and filibustered nature had not gone unnoticed without his involvement in finding a remedy, a solution or a resolution to this matter, that has persisted into its seventh year, by virtue of his "embattled" role played.

However, as the President of this very resilient and great class, I duly take the full weight of the responsibility and accountability on behalf of my leadership. Let me for the record state that, as was stated before have purposedly planned and made a decision to bring to a complete closure and end to this saga with the aim of finding a prudent solution to this matter and ensure that each and every member of this class take delivery of their copy of the "delayed" yearbook in the soonest time possible.

In consideration thereof, I am hereby pleased to announce "The Special Committee of Inquiry" to the distinguished and professional men and women who formed the entire membership of The 97th Class-UL (The Class of 2016), and respectfully through the Valedictorian and Academic Leader of the class. The Committee is hereby charged with the mandate through other things to inquire by means of research, probe, investigation, and interrogation through every and all rightfully lawful mean or way and establish the facts (not assumptions) regarding reasons and circumstances that have caused the unavailability of the 97th Class-UL Yearbook.

In addition, The Committee shall have the expressed will power to establish its own defined rules for inquiry in keeping with international standards and best practices. Its mandate shall not preclude all comments made and documents shared within all official platforms and chatrooms of The 97th Class-UL; and shall also with a power of attorney represent the class on all matters that may arise while executing its legitimate mandate by working smoothly with all stakeholders including: The Leadership of The 97th Class-UL (The President, Vice President, and Secretary General), The Executive Committee, All Committees Members, Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students Affairs-UL, the Liberia National Police, and all other parties who may or are parties to this class through any instrument (be it legal or illegal) which shall include Memoranda Of Understandings (MOUs).

The Special Committee of Inquiry of The 97th Class-UL shall carry out its mandate in conformity with the class' vision: "Nationally Recognized as The Most Outstanding Class Amongst the First 100th Classes in the History of the University of Liberia in Integrity, Excellence, Legacy and Leadership" and its official name "LÁBOI VÀH" (when translated into English means "The Light Has Come"), while underscoring the ethics of professionalism, accountability, openness, integrity, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. Its scope of operations (or tenure) which shall take immediate effect upon its establishment and shall last for a period of Seven Weeks ending on 28th February 2022.

The Special Committee of Inquiry is hereby with immediate effect constituted as followed:

1. Cde. Sando Garnett Johnson - Chairperson
2. Cde. Mary Jean - Co-chairperson
3. Cde. Benedict McCarthy - Secretary
4. Cde. Abrahim Sangarie - Member
5. Cde. Luther Maffallah - Member
6. Dr. Michael Nepay - Member
7. Atty. Benjamin Stewart - Advisor

In view of the above, I would like to, for and on behalf of the leadership of The 97th Class-UL congratulate all members of the Committee and affirm that their appointment is solely due to their integrity, honesty, wisdom, discernment, unbiased judgment, professionalism and high level of respect, leadership and influence within the Liberian Society and the confidence reposed in each person as the President of The 97th Class-UL.

Finally, I would like to kindly call on all persons of the class to kindly cease from making claims and counterclaims before it undermines the integrity of the Committee. Notwithstanding, I am herewith attaching for the membership and general public's kind information, review and perusal legitimate documents of the class covering the period October 2016 to April 2017. It is my firm hope that those documents would shine "The Light into The Lux in Tenebris" on some but keen and major activities that occurred during that period within the Executive Committee of the class and between the class leadership and the Office of Students Affairs at the University of Liberia.

On this note, I would like to close with these words as written in the Holy Quran "truly, a man keeps speaking the truth until he is inscribed as being true through and through. And lying leads to going wrong, and going wrong leads to hell. Truly, a man lies and lies until he is inscribed as being a liar through and through. Oh ye who believe! Eat not up each other’s property by unfair and dishonest means.” (Muslim, 4.2012–13: 2607. S; Quran 4:29)

Above All Else, The Class! Above All Else, The People!!

In service to GOD, to country, to humanity.

Faithfully,
President V A Y E
The 97th Class-UL

See attached documents.

https://frontpageafricaonline.com/amp/news/2016news/university-of-liberia-graduates-concerned-about-delay-in-souvenir-items/

"To lead is to earn the trust of others, to know that when you climb the next mountain, others will be with you... Leadership is grace, dignity, and restraint... Leadership is a privilege and responsibility, not an automatic right... Leading [leadership] is learning from the past to define the future, inspiring others to move purposefully [with passion, confidence, conviction, focus and diligence] forward. To lead is to acknowledge the reality of the here and now, while always focusing on tomorrow". ~ Gary Burnison, "The Twelve Absolutes of Leadership"

In loving memory of Comrade James S. Davis, Former President of the University of Liberia Alumni Association (AAUL) who predeceased us on 3rd January 2021. May his soul and the souls of all faithful departed rest in peace and light perpetual shines upon them. 🙏🏽

The President and Valedictorian of The 97th Class of The University of Liberia extend warmest season greetings to all members of The Class of 2016 "Laboi Vah - The Light Has Come" and the resilient and peace-loving people of Liberia by wishing a really special time, full of happiness, joy and cheers, not only at Christmas time, but in the coming year, too. 🤗🥂🎄

Wishing you Merry Christmas
&
Prosperous New Year

Lørd J. MacMillan Gbolahduo VAYE, Cdr.
President of The 97th Class-UL

Scholar Lexanndine Taylor
Valedictorian & Academic Leader
The 97th Class-UL

Please let us remember to keep Hon. Mobutu Nyenpan, Minister of Public Works and a distinguished member of the 97th Class of the University of Liberia in our prayers and thoughts, especially as we go to our respective places of worship this Friday and Sunday as Muslims and Christians respectively. We wish him God's speed! 🙏🏽

https://frontpageafricaonline.com/front-slider/liberia-public-works-minister-mobutu-nyenpan-in-coma-after-massive-stroke/

Greetings The 97ners,

In a well concerted effort to ensure that we have almost nearly every member of The 97th Class-UL part of our respective social media platforms, most especially the WhatsApp Chatroom that has wider capacity, we have compiled the names of the entire class membership for each person's information. The information are arranged alphabetically and grouped according to colleges than departments. It also includes your county of origin as well. The documents which are downloadable can be assessed via The Ninety-seventh Class of the University of Liberia Official Facebook Group Platform by scrolling unto the "file" section.

Assuredly, it is our hope as leadership that this list, which isn't a directory would subsequently lead to us embarking upon an official class directory with your cooperation, as plans are currently on the way to ensuring that is done.

Besides, we would be most pleased if each person would use this as a means of expanding our various social media chatrooms platforms membership base by adding or recommending the "names and contacts" of comrades who aren't on these platforms but are legitimate members of the Class.

Better still, you can get automatically added unto The 97th Class-UL Official WhatsApp Platform/Chatroom by clicking on the link below if you are a legitimate member of The Class. 👇🏾

https://chat.whatsapp.com/Lukxof8ZoKX8r3EokeFSD8

In the spirit of unity, togetherness and inclusiveness, we look forward to your understanding and support as always.

Above all else, The Class!

Faithfully,
President V A Y E 😊🙏🏽